Testimonials

"When I was working on the earliest environmental conventions to protect ecosystems, it was clear that to succeed we had to bring back nature into people’s minds and hearts. But in spite of our efforts, and impressive successes, we have not succeeded enough. Ecosystems are becoming ever more strained, yet we run our economies as if it doesn't matter. This is why I am so taken by the simple yet powerful approach the Ecological Footprint offers any of us, from young people all the way to finance ministers. This is why I believe in Global Footprint Network’s work, and invite you to join it."

"The Ecological Footprint is one of the most important environmental concepts in currency today, with virtually unlimited educational and practical implications."

E.O. Wilson, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

"Sustainability is the best choice we have - yet it also requires significant reorientation. The good news is this possibility: if we start accounting for our ecological resources as seriously as we do for our financial assets, we can manage our ecological assets more carefully in order to secure a sustainable, better tomorrow."

Emil Salim, former Minister of Environment of Indonesia

"The world will no longer be divided by the ideologies of 'left' and 'right,' but by those who accept ecological limits and those who don't."

Wolfgang Sachs, head of the Cross-cutting Project, "Globalization and Sustainability", Wuppertal Institute

"The Footprinting methodology is the most ingenious way of communicating unsustainability to the general public - it goes directly to the point and through intuition it allows laypeople to 'get it'."

Prof. Karl-Henrik Robert, Founder of The Natural Step

"I know of no better way of thinking about sustainability or carrying capability on a global scale than Ecological Footprinting."

Peter Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden

"There is one measure, and one measure only, describing the capacity and relationship between human society and living systems: Ecological Footprinting. It is the only standard by which we may calibrate our collective impact upon the planet, and assess the viability of our future. It is ‘true north’ when it comes to sustainability; no report about the environment is complete without it."

Paul Hawken, Founder, Natural Capital Institute

"The Ecological Footprint makes clear that the environment is no longer a side show, but is increasingly defining economic possibilities. Understanding our ecological demand, and its reach beyond national boundaries allows us to get prepared for the future. It is not that different from our financial expenditures. If we don't track them, we waste them; if we overdraw our 'ecological accounts,' we are undermining our future."

Michael Meacher, Member of Parliament and former UK Minister of Environment

"Even if we just wanted to save tigers and pandas, or create protected areas, we could still not succeed without addressing human pressure. Reducing humanity's impact, however, requires equity and cooperation, otherwise we would just create more conflicts. This is an important reason for monitoring human demand through the Ecological Footprint. Recognizing ecological constraints is tough, but it is a prerequisite for harmony between people and nature."

Claude Martin, former Director General WWF International

"Using an 'Ecological Footprint' to describe the pressure human activity is placing on the biosphere will inevitably invite controversy. Global Footprint Network is disarmingly frank about the limitations of its data and refreshingly keen to invite skeptics to suggest improvements. Let's hope those who believe there are no limits or that we're not running any risks will be equally frank about why we don't need to worry."

Simon Upton, Chair of the OECD Round Table on Sustainable Development

“Through the Living Planet report, WWF and Global Footprint Network have created a tremendous communications platform. Our combined indices—the Living Planet Index and the Ecological Footprint—track one another almost precisely in opposite directions: As the Ecological Footprint climbs, species numbers nosedive.
Putting together these facts and figures in a way to explain complex phenomena simply is the basis of our storytelling, and our ability to help bring policy change. As we strengthen our partnership, we will strive to achieve our complementary missions: To create a world in which humans live in harmony with nature, and a world where everyone can live well, within the means of one planet.”

Tony Long, Director, WWF European Policy Office

"A globalizing economy has an enormous potential of benefiting people around the world. Yet, if not managed carefully, it could also accelerate resource use and lead to a rapid liquidation of our ecological goods. Keeping track of the resources embodied in our trade flows helps monitor whether our course is sustainable or not. The Ecological Footprint points in the right direction."

David Runnalls, Distinguished Fellow of IISD, Canada

"The calculations of Ecological Footprints will impress the world community and help politicians, business, engineers, and the public-at-large to find new and exciting paths towards sustainable development."

Prof. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsaecker, Founder and Former President of the Wuppertal Institute

"There have been a number of innovative research initiatives to help us get a grip on what is meant by Sustainable Development. Among the most substantive and illuminating, if not the single most helpful of all, is the work by Mathis Wackernagel and his colleagues on 'ecological footprints.'"